Judi Hunter, Trustee for Ward 5, is serving her first term as trustee. Ward 5 represents schools in Springbank, Bearspaw, Bragg Creek, Westbrook and rural Cochrane. Civic duty and community contribution are important to Judi, and she sees herself as an advocate for public education. She has been active in the Springbank community for several years, most recently coaching soccer. Previously, she was also active in politics, coached debate clubs and involved in public speaking for youth. She completed a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education and was a former principal with the Calgary Board of Education. Judi has been married for 50 years and has eight grandchildren attending schools in Rocky View. Her interests lie with sports, her family, travel and learning – nothing gives her more pleasure than to see someone learning.

Update Report

REPORT FROM TRUSTEE JUDI HUNTER, December, 2017Here are some highlights from the Rocky View Schools.

The following Springbank High School students received 100% in the Provincial Achievement Exams in June:

At the recent Alberta School Boards we heard a presentation from Yong Zhao an educational futurist. He challenges some of the practices in today’s schools and speaks to what he believes are future careers for students. You can look him up on youtube.

The following is information from the RVS Media Release November 16, 2017RE: RVS to upgrade aging facilities

In recognition that several of its older schools require modernization, Rocky View Schools plans to remove four projects from its capital plan and fund them through its InfrastructureMaintenance and Renewal (IMR) portfolio or its Cash-in Lieu Reserve held for schools serving students living in Rocky View County. “The unprecedented student growth in our jurisdiction over the last decade continues to place new schools at the top of our capital plan, pushing down modernization projects to our older schools,” said Associate Superintendent Business and Operations Darrell Couture. “Given this trend will likely continue into the foreseeable future, we are going to fund modernization projects at George McDougall, Elbow Valley, and Indus through IMR monies and rebuild Westbrook School via Cash-in- Lieu. Couture explained that each year the jurisdiction receives approximately six million dollars from the provincial government for maintenance projects under its IMR grant. Using three million carried over from 2016/17 and IMR monies received across the 2017/18 and 2018/19 school years, RVS plans to begin the design and construction of: • a modernization of George McDougall’s Career and Technology Studies wing, up to $300K in 2017/18 for project design and initial construction; • a modernization to Elbow Valley, totaling $500K in 2017/18 for its administration suite and front entrance. Within three to five years, IMR monies will be allocated for its roofing, electrical, and mechanical system; and, • a major modernization of Indus’ core building, valued at $6 million. “Indus School, which was built in the 1950s, requires the most significant upgrades,” said Couture. “Our plan is to house students in portables for the 2018/19 school year, while we strip the school to its studs and re-build.” Two of the three projects - Elbow Valley and Indus - have been approved by the Board of Trustees, while George McDougall’s CTS modernization will be considered by the Board, December 7, 2017. In relation to Westbrook School, Couture said RVS will access $6 million from its cash in-lieu to build a new school to the north of the current facility. Approved by the Board, Nov. 16, construction will likely begin this summer. Todd Brand, Board Chair said “trustees are very excited to be able to provide enhanced facilities for these school communities. We also applaud our administration for finding creative solutions to address our aging facilities.” Projects approved by the Board for Indus and Westbrook remain subject to ministerial support and approval. -30- For more information, contact: Angela Spanier, Director of Communications (403) 945-4012 Alberta Education as passed Bill 24, the controversial bill regarding Gay Straight Alliances.

It is in the process of enacting bill 28 an media excerpt which follows

BILL 28 - SCHOOL ACT AMENDMENTSThursday, November 16, 2017 Posted by: Susan LangThe School Amendment Act would pave the way for new professional standards for principals and superintendents, which would ensure that they are equipped to lead modern, inclusive schools that are carefully administered and able to prepare every student for success.

Additional proposed amendments to the School Act include:

Authorizing the minister to establish standards for education service agreements betweenFirst Nations and school boards to help close the achievement gap for Indigenous students.

Specifying that students must be five years of age by Dec. 31 of the school year to joinkindergarten so students entering school are ready to succeed.

Revising the process for establishing a separate school district, reducing confusion andbuilding more support for the school district within communities.

Ensuring the government can provide clear and updated transportation eligibility criteriabefore the 2018-19 school year.

Other amendments, which are largely technical or administrative, are also included in this bill. These proposed amendments would update the School Act to reflect current practice or align with other legislation.

If passed, the majority of amendments would come into force immediately, while some amendments would be implemented later. For example, the common age of entry into kindergarten would be implemented in Sept. 2020 and the certification processes for aspiring superintendents and principals would take effect in 2019, with a grandfathered approach in place for existing leaders.